(Lorenzo, or Giovanni, Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli) (1769-1774) Born Sant' Arcangelo, Italy, 1705; died Rome, Italy. Educated by the Jesuits, he became a Franciscan, held many ecclesiastical offices, and was appointed cardinal in 1759. At this election the conclave was the victim of pressure exerted by France and Spain. He inherited the trying legacies of Clement XIII, and in support of his policy to keep peace with the Catholic princes and thus combat the irreligion which was rampant in Europe, he issued his Brief of suppression against the Jesuit Order, 1773. No other reason is given by the pope for the Brief than that it was necessary for the preservation of peace between the Church and the Christian princes. It was ignored in many places. His policy was unsuccessful, and temporal princes began to legislate in ecclesiastical matters. Clement founded the University of Münster in 1773.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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